Maryland's same sex marriage law takes effect at midnight tonight, and same sex wedding ceremonies are planned across the state in the first minutes of 2013.

Havre de Grace City Councilman Joe Smith told WBAL News he will marry his partner of 25 years in a private ceremony.

Smith says he always believed that same sex marriage would become law in Maryland, but he says he was amazed at how fast lawmakers and then voters approved the issue this year.

"I think I anticipated it would happen. It probably happened a little faster than expected," Smith said.

He says passage of the law by the General Assembly in February, and by voters in November shows that a majority of Marylanders believe in fairness and equality.

"They don't believe in standing in the way of happiness for a good portion of Maryland citizens, and my fiancee and I are going to take full advantage of this on New Year's Eve," Smith added.

Same sex couples have been allowed to apply for marriage licenses for the last few weeks, but none of the licenses become effective until January 1.

In Baltimore City, the Mitchell Courthouse will be closed for New Year's Day.

However, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is opening City Hall at 12:30 a.m., to seven same sex couples who will be getting married.

Ian Brennan, a spokesman for the mayor, told WBAL News that the mayor was approached by attorney Mark Scurti, who specializes in same sex marriage issues, about holding same sex weddings in City Hall as the law takes effect.

Rawlings-Blake who campaigned for passage of the law agreed.

"New Years Day will have a new meaning for the hundreds - if not thousands - of couples who will finally have the right to marry the person they love,ö said Mayor Rawlings-Blake.

ôIt is a remarkable achievement for Maryland, and we are excited to open City Hall to host some of the first wedding ceremonies in our great state. Newly married couples will stand before their friends and family to profess their love and commitment to each other. This is what we worked for, and I am looking forward to take part in this historic and jubilant day.ö

Brennan says Rawlings-Blake will act as an official witness, but will not preside over any ceremonies.

The first couple to get married in City Hall will be longtime mayoral aide Jim Scales and his partner of 35 years Bill Taskers.